Barrichello: “Michael has not changed”

Rubens Barrichello, seeing Michael Schumacher in his sights on Sunday, was very motivated to seek out his former teammate. Ferrari driver at the time of Schumi's supremacy, Rubinho suffered greatly from his status as second driver, totally devoted to the German, according to the wishes of the Team. Barrichello wanted to overtake the German. But the latter did not admit defeat and resisted his former teammate, risking pushing him against the pit wall (see video).

« If he wants to go to heaven, in case he goes to heaven, I don't want to go there before him! “, commented Rubens Barrichello. “ Thank God the wall ended where it crushed me because I passed within a few millimeters. I told the stewards that we are two of the most experienced drivers and if Michael does this, the young guys could do it too. » The commissioners therefore sent the message that this gesture was to be prohibited by penalizing the German by ten places on the next starting grid.

« Above all, I am very happy to be here and to be able to talk to you, continued the Brazilian. I won't go to him with my feelings because it won't solve anything. You know Michael: you tell him something and he thinks he's always right. He was absent for three years, he comes back and he hasn't changed. It's always the same. »

For his part, Michael Schumacher, after having “claimed responsibility” for his maneuver, understood that he had been a little rough. “ Yesterday, after the race, I spoke while I was still in the heat of the moment, explains Schumi. But, afterwards, I reviewed the skirmish with Rubens and I must say that the commissioners made the right decision: the maneuver against him was too limited. I wanted to make it difficult for him to surpass me. I also wanted to show him that I didn't want to let him go inside. But I didn't want my maneuver to put him in danger. If he had that feeling, then sorry, because that was not my intention. »